Oti Mabuse candidly discusses dealing with ‘racism and fat-shaming’
‘I’ve been racially abused and fat-shamed’: Oti Mabuse speaks out on the abusive messages she has received during her seven years on Strictly Come Dancing
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Oti Mabuse has revealed that she has received ‘abusive’ messages during her seven year stint on BBC show Strictly Come Dancing.
In a candid piece about her career, the Dancing On Ice judge, 31, wrote that she has been ‘fat-shamed’ and faced racist comments during her TV career.
The professional dance added that while she understands the awful views of some do not represent the majority of viewers, she noted: ‘I’ve tried for so long to think about it this way.’
Speaking her truth: Oti Mabuse, 31, has revealed that she has received ‘abusive’ messages after appearing on Strictly Come Dancing
Writing for the Radio Times, Oti said: ‘I’ve faced some backlash while performing on the show. I’ve never really spoken about it.’
‘I’ve tried for so long to think about it this way: I work on a show that ten million people love; if ten or 100 people aren’t nice to me, that is not representative of everyone else’s view.
‘It’s taken years for me to get that into my head. To get tweeted or receive a message in my inbox being racially abusive, or fat-shaming me, is horrible. But it’s written by a person who can’t even face themselves in the mirror.’
Elsewhere in the piece Oti explained that dancing has always acted as a type of therapy. She explained: ‘Dance has always been there. I am a South African woman.
Tough side of the job: Writing for the Radio Times , Oti said: ‘I’ve faced some backlash while performing on the show. I’ve never really spoken about it’ Pictured on the 2021 series of Strictly with partner Ugo Monye
‘We dance when we’re sad, striking, angry. It’s a way of expressing ourselves and it’s an art. As a child, my friends and I used to dance on the street — a car would pass with its music blaring and we’d dance.’
Oti made her first appearance on Strictly in 2015 when she was partnered with Olympic boxer Anthony Ogogo, 33, finishing in 14th place.
The following year she reached the final with Hollyoaks actor Danny Mac, 33, losing out to eventual winner Ore Oduba, 36.
In 2017, she was partnered with Paralympian Jonnie Peacock, 28, finishing in 8th place before performing with Graeme Swann, 42, for the show’s 2018 series, where she was knocked out in Week 8.
Staying strong: The Dancing On Ice judge explained she understands the awful views of some do not represent the majority of viewers
She became only the second professional dancer to win the show twice, lifting the Glitterball with Kelvin in 2019 and Bill in 2020.
During her final series in 2021 she starred with rugby ace Ugo Monye, 38, finishing 11th in the Covid-hit season.
In April last year, Oti hinted 2021 could be her final season on the BBC competition.
She said: ‘I love to dance and also I love bringing joy to so many people, but I think that [this year’s Strictly] will be the last one.
‘To be part of a show like Strictly, which is so diverse in every sense of the word, is incredible.’
Winner: Oti became only the second professional dancer to win Strictly twice, lifting the Glitterball with Kelvin Fletcher in 2019 and Bill Bailey (pictured) in 2020
Oti made her Dancing On Ice debut this month as a new judge, amid speculation she is set to leave Strictly Come Dancing as a professional.
And the star – who is the sister of Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse – is making yet more career moves and hoping to make profits with a new venture.
Oti has reportedly set up a brand new property company with her husband Marius Iepure which could make her a multi-millionaire.
Oti and her German dancer husband, 39, are both named as directors of Lionshead Property Investments, which is registered at Companies House, according to The Mirror.
New venture: Oti made her Dancing On Ice debut this month as a new judge, amid speculation she is set to leave Strictly Come Dancing as a professional
Oti’s firm named Pure Mabuse Entertainment already rakes in around £500,000 a year from TV deals and advertising contracts.
In addition, she can earn around £3,000 per Instagram post and gets revenue from her popular YouTube account.
The South African has also signed a deal to write two picture books.
A representative for Oti was contacted by MailOnline for further comment.
Wow: Oti’s firm named Pure Mabuse Entertainment already rakes in around £500,000 a year from TV deals and advertising contracts
